Planar antenna for transmitting microwave power to small unmanned aerial vehicles

We present the design and simulation of a leaky wave antenna that has been modified to permit high power handling and produce a conical beam that is suitable for transmitting microwave power to small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAV). We show a design with a single vertical beam of gain 25 dBi that could support the simultaneous transmission of power to three rotary winged SUAV. It would be powered by a 5 kW UHF (915 MHz) magnetron-based generator. We also show a design producing a conical beam of gain 18 dBi that would allow multiple conventionally winged, electrically propelled to fly in a circular path around the antenna, at altitudes of 10-30 m, whilst dipping a wing into the beam. The wing would contain a rectenna, or an array of rectennas, depending on mission requirements and SUAV design, and receive 15 W per rectenna at 10 m assuming a 30 kW transmitter.